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Preview: Flames @ Sharks

by
Staff Writer
/ Calgary Flames

FLAMES (24-25-3) at SHARKS (28-20-4)

TV: CSN-CA, SN360, NHL.TV (8:30 PM MT)

Season series: The San Jose Sharks have won two of three games against the Calgary Flames, outscoring them 12-10. Forward Joe Thornton has two goals and two assists for San Jose, defenceman Brent Burns and forward Patrick Marleau each has one goal and two assists, and forward Joel Ward has two goals. Calgary forwards Markus Granlund, Micheal Ferland and Sean Monahan each has two goals, forward Markus Granlund has four assists, and forward Mikael Granlund has a goal and three assists.

Flames team scope: The three forwards who were scratched Tuesday for being late to practice Monday -- Monahan, linemate Johnny Gaudreau and Lance Bouma -- could play when Calgary begins a two-games-in-two-days road trip. All three apologized for his actions after practice Wednesday. The Calgary Sun reported that Monahan and Gaudreau were reunited with usual linemate Jiri Hudler at practice Wednesday; Bouma skated as an extra forward, indicating he may be scratched again. "The other day, we made a mistake and that's the first and last time that's going to happen," Monahan said. 'We're going to get back on track and be professionals and do everything the right way from now on.' The Flames have won two in a row and three of four since the All-Star break and are seven points out of a wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. Calgary visits the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.

Sharks team scope: San Jose defenceman Brenden Dillon left a 2-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday with an upper-body injury, and coach Pete DeBoer called him day-to-day. The Sharks return home for two games following a four-game road trip that started the post-All-Star break schedule. After a game Saturday against the Coyotes, San Jose goes back on the road for a five-game trip. The Sharks have alternated wins and losses over the past seven games, last winning two straight Jan. 21-23, when they wrapped up a 7-0-1 stretch. The Sharks have killed 11 straight power plays and 15 of 16. Goaltender Martin Jones has started eight straight games and may go a while before his next game off, DeBoer said. "You have to learn it's different preparation, different practice, and a different mindset," DeBoer told Comcast Bay Area. "I think he's starting to get the hang of that, and he's getting in a rhythm. The schedule has worked where we've had days off between games, so we've been able to play him."